Cosmetic Holder

ABSTRACT

This cosmetic holder integrates cosmetic products or makeup into accessories, such as rings, bracelets, watches, or necklaces. This invention minimizes or eliminates the need to carry a bulky handbag or cosmetic compact case, enabling a woman to appear more chic and elegant, particularly useful during formal event. The cosmetic holder stores makeup in a removable pan, which fits inside one or more containers that are fastened to an accessory. Because the pans store a broad range of makeup, the interchangeability feature of the pan enables a person to carry different colors of makeup using the same cosmetic holder. A cover is fastened to the container to not only conceal the makeup, but also provide a surface for personalized engravings, emboss, or precious stones, which further enhancing the attractiveness of the cosmetic holder.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/381,146 filed on Sep. 9, 2010 by Satin VanCleef entitled “Cosmetic Holder” the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cosmetic holder useful for thestorage, transport, and application of all cosmetic products. Thisinvention eliminates or minimizes the need to keep cosmetic productsinside a purse, enabling a person to carry of a much smaller or lessbulky purse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To beautify a woman's face, the cosmetic industry created a variety ofmakeup, which include blush, eye shadow, lipstick, mascara, and presspowders. Such makeup comes in an assortment of colors. Various toolssuch as brushes, pens, or applicators are required to apply make-up.When at home, there is plenty of space to scatter numerous cosmeticproducts on a table or in front of a sink with a mirror. But when awayfrom home, a woman must figure out how to carry a collection of thesecosmetic products in a hand bag, the same handbag that carries a purse,cellular phone, keys, and other non-cosmetic items. Existing methods totransport cosmetic products require a large and bulky handbag. However,women prefer to carry smaller handbags, or avoid carrying a handbagaltogether, especially during events that require dancing or wearing offormal attire, yet have access to cosmetic products when needed.Existing patents do not teach ways to conceal, transport, or storecosmetic products in jewelry or accessories.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,951 issued on Apr. 28, 1981 to Siegel discloses theuse of interchangeable handbag compartments or organizers. While thehandbag organizer improves the use of space within a handbag, cosmeticproducts must still be kept in a handbag, which is not convenient tocarry during formal events, especially when such events require ballroomor modern dancing.

U.S. Pat. No. D 274,900 issued on Oct. 9, 1984 to Sweder disclosesanother wrist-borne cosmetic compact. While the compact does not requirestorage in a handbag, the patent does not teach the use of the compactas an accessory. Specifically, it does not teach the integration offunctional components such as a timepieces or precious stones, enablingit to function as a watch or bracelet. Furthermore, the patent does notteach the use of a compartment to hold an applicator, integration of oneor more containers, or interchangeable pans to make the device moreefficient and environmentally friendly.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,127 issued on Dec. 20, 1983 to Geer discloses acompact case with interchangeable cosmetic inserts. While the compactcase allows the transport a variety and small amounts of cosmeticproducts, it must also be kept in a handbag, which is not convenient tocarry during formal events. Furthermore, a person must dig through anoften-cluttered handbag to find the desired compact case.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,697 issued on Apr. 9, 1991 to Jimbo et al. disclosesthe use of magnets to attach a plurality of cosmetic pans to the bottomof a makeup case. U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,553 issued on Aug. 12, 1997 toGiese et al. claims the use of U-shape channels and ejectors to attachand remove a plurality of cosmetic pans to and from the bottom of amakeup case. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,420 issued on Sep. 29, 1998 to Sussmanclaims the use of guide pin to anchor a plurality of makeup modules tothe base of a makeup case. While these patents teach different ways tosecure a plurality of cosmetic pans to the bottom of a makeup case, awoman must nevertheless store and transport the compact case in ahandbag, which is not always convenient to carry during a formal event.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,130 issued on Apr. 17, 1990 to Sweder discloses amethod to secure a cosmetic case to the steering wheel of a vehicle.While this method overcomes the hindrances of carrying a cosmetic casein a handbag, the cosmetic product is inconveniently located in avehicle. Walking to a parking lot or asking a valley to fetch one's carto freshen up is not practical.

U.S. Pat. No. D436,421 issued on Jan. 16, 2001 to Cooper discloses awrist mounted cosmetic makeup compact case. U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,970issued on Mar. 18, 2003 to Phue discloses the use of a belt or Velcro towear the case around a user's wrist, ankle, or neck. When a cosmeticcase is worn, it impeded the wearing of attractive jewelry oraccessories around one's wrist, ankle, or neck. While fastening acosmetic case around one's wrist allows immediate access to the cosmeticproducts, generally, women do not want to display a cosmetic case aroundtheir wrist, ankle, or neck because it is aesthetically unappealing. Acosmetic case is not an accessory, or regarded as jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cosmetic holder is a convenient, portable, and aestheticallyappealing way to carry cosmetic products. Unlike existing methods, whichrequire a handbag or cosmetic case to transport cosmetic products, thisinvention integrates cosmetic products into accessories, including butnot limited to watches, rings, necklaces, or jewelry. By using thisinvention, there is no longer a need to dig or search through a pile ofitems (e.g., purses, keys, cell phone, other non-cosmetic products)within a handbag to find the right makeup. By combining cosmeticproducts and an accessory, a woman may carry a smaller handbag or avoidcarrying a handbag altogether, especially useful during formal eventsthat require dancing. Furthermore, the cosmetic product would beorganized at different locations, e.g., on one's neck or wrist,facilitating retrieval or access to a desired makeup.

The cosmetic holder comprises of one or more containers attached to anaccessory. The cosmetic holder may be worn on a person's finger, wrist,arm, neck, waist, ankle, or leg. Types of accessories include, but notlimited to the following: ring, bracelet, watch, band, necklace, collar,hair clip, or belt.

The container may have one or more sides creating shapes that include aregularly shaped polygon, for example: circle, triangle, square,pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, or decagon. The shape ofthe container may also be an irregularly shaped polygon, such as ananimal, flower, and other objects.

The cosmetic holder has a removable pan, which enables the cosmeticholder to store a variety cosmetic product, including lip gloss,lipstick, foundation, and blush. Furthermore, the interchangeability ofpans makes the refilling process easier. Consequently, the cosmeticholder is green or environmentally friendly.

The pan holds one or more cosmetic product. For example, the pan maystore makeup in one or more colors. The purpose is to allow a person toapply cosmetic in not only a single color, but also a blend of colors.In another embodiment, the pan holds foundation on one-half and blush onthe other half.

The pan is secured to the inside face of the container with or withoutfasteners. If fasteners are used, they include magnetic fasteners, snapfasteners, hooks, latches, or friction. Though not required, utilizing afastener is recommended, if the cosmetic holder is typically in avertical configuration, for example, when worn around a person's neck.

The pan may also be secured to the container with a cover, which maymove between open and closed configurations by one or more interlockingdevice, such as a hinge, joint, bearing, pivot, pin, slide, rail, track,guide, or channel.

The cover may have a locking mechanism to keep the cover in a closedconfiguration, until a person intentionally accesses the makeup. Thelocking mechanism includes, but not limited to, a hook, clip, clasp,lock, latch, linkage, magnetic fastener, snap fastener, joint, or otherjoining methods known in the art.

The pan may consume less volume than the container, allowing acompartment to hold an applicator, such as a brush, pencil, or pen. Theapplicator is hidden from view until it is needed. In one embodiment, aspring is used to eject the applicator to facilitate access orretrieval.

The cover may include designs that increase the aesthetic appeal of thecover. For example, the cover may contain etching or precious stones. Inone embodiment, a person's initials were etched onto the cover. Inanother embodiment, precious stones were affixed to the cover. The covermay include mechanical or electronic devices, such as a watch,thermometer, compass, or heart rate monitor.

One or more containers may be affixed to an accessory. This enables notonly the storage of multiple cosmetic products on a single cosmeticholder, but also enables the storage of an applicator, such as a brush,pencil, or pen. A cosmetic holder with multiple containers is useful forstoring wider brushes typically used to apply foundation or blush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder showing a wrist band,container, cover, and pan.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1, showinga cover in an open configuration and a pan removed from the container.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1, showinga cover in an open configuration and a pan secured on the inside face ofthe container.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1, showinga cover in a closed configuration with a pan secured on the inside faceof the container.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1,showing a cover in an open configuration and a pan removed from thecontainer.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1,showing a cover in an open configuration and a pan secured on the insideface of the container.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1,showing a cover in a closed configuration with a pan secured on theinside face of the container.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a cosmetic holder showing the cover as a watchthat is attached to a container, which is fastened to a watchband.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a cosmetic holder showing the cover as a watchthat is attached to a container, which is fastened to a watchband.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a cosmetic holder showing the cover as awatch that is attached to a container, which is fastened to a watchband.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 8,showing the cover as a watch in an open configuration and a pan removedfrom the container.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 8,showing the cover as a watch in an open configuration and a pan securedon the inside face of the container.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 8,showing the cover as a watch in a closed configuration with a pansecured on the inside face of the container.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder showing a containerattached to a ring.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder in FIG. 14, showing apan secured to the inside face of the container and a cover in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a cosmetic holder showing a containerattached to a necklace.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG.16, showing the cover in an open configuration and a pan removed fromthe container.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 16showing the cover in an open configuration and a pan secured on theinside face of the container.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG.16, showing the cover in a closed configuration with a pan secured onthe inside face of the container.

FIG. 20 is a top sectional view of a container with a compartment and anapplicator removed from the compartment.

FIG. 21 is a top sectional view of a container with a compartment thathouses an applicator, which is compressing a spring.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a container with an applicator removedfrom the compartment and a spring in an uncompressed configuration.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a container with a compartmentidentified in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view a locking mechanism; specifically, a hooklatch that is attached to the side face of a container and cover.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism identified in FIG.24 with the hook latch in a unlocked configuration.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view the locking mechanism identified in FIG.24, with the hook latch in a locked configuration.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view the locking mechanism identified in FIG. 24,with the hook latch in a locked configuration.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a cover with engraved initials.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a cover with precious stones affixed toits top surface.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of two containers attached to a wristband,with the covers in an open configuration.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of two containers attached to a wristbandidentified in FIG. 30 with the covers in a closed configuration.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of three containers attached to awristband, with the covers in an open configuration.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of three containers attached to awristband identified in FIG. 32 with the covers in a closedconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in the accompanying drawings, this invention is a cosmeticholder designed to store or transport cosmetic products or makeup, suchas blush, eye shadow, lipstick, mascara, and press powders. In FIG. 1,the makeup is stored on the top face 13 of a round pan 10, which isremovably attached to the inside face 21 of a container 20. FIGS. 20-23illustrate another embodiment where the removable pan 10 is rectangular.Because accessories or jewelries come in numerous aesthetically pleasingshapes and sizes, the pan 10, conforming to the shape of the containerand housed inside the container 20, may have numerous shapes and sizes,including regularly shaped polygons (e.g., circle, triangle, square,pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, or decagon) orirregularly shaped polygons (e.g., animal, flower, or other objects). Aperson may collect a variety of pans 10, containing different types ofmakeup in a variety of colors. Each pan may store makeup in one or morecolors, so an appropriate color, or gradient of colors, can be achieved.The pans associated with a particular accessory are similar or identicalin shape and size to facilitate the interchangeability of pans.

The pan 10 in FIG. 1 has a flange 11 with an outside edge that contoursthe sidewall 23 of the container 20. The flange 11 forms a shoulder 12that rests on the top surface 22 of the container 20, minimizing thevisible gap between the pan 10 and container 20. The diameter of theoutside wall of the pan 10 is smaller than the diameter of the insidewall 28 of the container 20, allowing the pan 10 to be housed inside thecontainer 20. The dimensions of the pan 10 may either maximize theamount of space inside the container 20 or provide an ideal amount ofspace to store makeup. In another embodiment, the outside wall of thepan 10 is tapered, so the pan 10 may press fit to the inside wall 28 ofthe container 20, whereby friction secures the pan 10 to the inside wall28 of container 20. In another embodiment, the pan 10 is secured to thecontainer by one or more fasteners, such as magnetic fasteners, snapfasteners, hooks, latches, or ejectors.

In FIGS. 2-7, 11-15, and 17-19, the pan 10 is secured to a container 20by a cover 30, which can move between an open configuration 35 and aclosed configuration 36, to allow a person to conceal cosmetic productswithin the container 20. The cover 30 is fastened to the container 20 byan interlocking device such as a hinge 37. The cover may move between anopen configuration 35 and a closed configuration 36 by otherinterlocking devices, such as a joint, bearing, pivot, pin, slide, rail,track, guide, or channel.

In FIGS. 24-27, the cover 30 has a locking mechanism 38, namely a hooklatch 39 to ensure that the cover 30 is kept in a closed configuration36, until a desired time. The locking mechanism 38 includes, but notlimited to, a hook, clip, clasp, lock, latch, linkage, magneticfastener, snap fastener, joint, or other joining mechanisms known in theart.

The cover 30 is made of opaque material functions to conceal the makeupinside the container, increase the aesthetic appearance of the cosmeticholder. In FIGS. 28-29, different embodiments of a cover 30 areillustrated. In FIG. 28, a person's initials are engraved 31 on the topsurface of the cover 30 to personalize the cosmetic holder. Images,symbols, or terms of endearment may also be engraved or embossed on thecover 30. FIG. 29 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, whereprecious stones 32 are affixed to the top surface of the cover 30 in acircular pattern. While FIGS. 28-29 exemplify two ways to improve theaesthetic appeal of the cosmetic holder, other variations are within thescope of this invention.

The embodiments in FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the cover 30 as a timepiece 33,so the cosmetic holder functions as a watch. In this embodiment, thetimepiece 33 is a mechanical device. In another embodiment, the cover 30is an electronic device that provides a digital display of time andperforms other functions (e.g., stopwatch, timer, thermometer, compass,heart rate monitor). In another embodiment, the cover 30 is a mirror orreflective surface. In FIG. 11, the cover 30 is in an open configuration35 with the pan 10 removed from the container 20. In FIG. 12, the pan 10is secured to the inside of the container 20. In FIG. 13, the cover,which is fastened to the container 20 by a hinge 37, is in a closedconfiguration 36.

The container 20 may also house an applicator 27, such as a brush,pencil, or pen. In another embodiment depicted in FIGS. 20-23, theinside wall of the pan 10 is rectangular and do not completely conformto the shape of the inside wall 21 of the container 20. Instead, aoutside wall of the pan 10 is set back to allow space for a compartment24 to hold or store an applicator 27, such as a brush, pencil, or pen.The applicator 27 is inserted into the compartment through an opening inthe sidewall 23 of the container 20. As illustrated in FIG. 23, when anapplicator 27 is stored inside the compartment 24, the applicator 27 isconcealed from view with the bottom end of the applicator 27 handleflush with, or slightly protruding from, the sidewall 23 of thecontainer 20. In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21,removal of an applicator 27 from the compartment 24 is facilitated by acompression spring 26, which ejects the applicator 27 to a distance thatis sufficient for a person to grab the handle of the applicator 27 andfully remove the applicator 27 from the compartment 24.

As illustrated by the embodiments in FIGS. 30-33, one or more containers20 may be affixed to an accessory 40. This not only enables the storageof multiple cosmetic products on a single cosmetic holder, but alsoenables the storage of wider applicator 27, such as a foundation orblush applicator 27 on the same device. It is desirable to have makeupand its corresponding accessory kept together or within the sameproximity.

One or more containers 20 are affixed to an accessory by fasteners,including dowels, pins, clamps, clips, screws, bolts, rivets, fasteners,clasps, hooks, latches, links, lock and key, adhesives, nails, or welds.FIG. 7 illustrates the use of a spring bar 41 to secure a container toan accessory 40, namely a watchband. In FIGS. 11-13 welds are used tosecure a container to another type of accessory 40, namely a ring. FIGS.17-19 illustrate the use of a link 42 to secure a container 20 toanother type of accessory 40, namely a necklace. FIGS. 30-33 illustratethe use of adhesives to secure one or more containers to yet anothertype of accessory 40, namely a wristband.

In other embodiments, one or more containers 20 are affixed to a broadrange of accessories 40, including a bracelets, watches, collars, hairclips, or belts. Accessories 40 are also defined as any items regardedas jewelry, including wristbands, watchbands, or earrings. Thisinvention teaches ways to combine cosmetic products and accessories 40,so the cosmetic products become an integral part of the accessories 40or regarded as accessories 40 themselves. This allows a person to carryand transport makeup in a chic and efficient manner, while minimizing oreliminating the need to carry makeup in a handbag.

The descriptions of the structure, function, or methodological acts arenot limited to the specific structures, functions, or acts provided. Thedescription and drawings are intended to be exemplary, illustrative, andnot to restrict the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill inthe art may modify the embodiments, yet remain within the scope andspirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic holder, comprising: a. an accessory,b. one or more containers affixes to the accessory, c. a pan that storesone or more cosmetic products or makeup, whereby the pan is removably orinterchangeably attached to the container; and, d. a cover with means tomove between an open configuration and a closed configuration relativeto the container.
 2. The cosmetic holder of claim 1, wherein theaccessory is a ring, bracelet, watch, band, necklace, collar, hair clip,belt, or earring.
 3. The cosmetic holder of claim 1, wherein thecontainer is either a regularly or irregularly shaped polygon.
 4. Thecosmetic holder of claim 1, wherein the movable means is one or moreinterlocking devices, hinges, joints, bearings, pivots, pins, slides,rails, tracks, guides, or channels.
 5. The cosmetic holder of claim 1,wherein the cover has one or more etchings, engravings, embosses,precious stones, or combination thereof.
 6. The cosmetic holder of claim1, wherein the cover is a watch, timepiece, stopwatch, timer,thermometer, compass, heart rate monitor, mirror, or combinationthereof.
 7. A cosmetic holder, comprising: a. an accessory, b. one ormore containers affixed to the accessory, c. a removable orinterchangeable pan that stores one or more cosmetic products or makeup,wherein the pan has a flange with an outer edge that contours thesidewall of the container, wherein the shoulder of the flange rests onthe top surface of the container; d. a cover, which is fastened to thecontainer, has means to move between an between an open configurationand a closed configuration relative to the container; and, e. a lockingmeans to ensure the cover is kept in a closed configuration, pressedagainst the container, until a desired time.
 8. The cosmetic holder ofclaim 7, wherein the accessory is a ring, bracelet, watch, band,necklace, collar, hair clip, belt, or earring.
 9. The cosmetic holder ofclaim 7, wherein the container is either a regularly or irregularlyshaped polygon.
 10. The cosmetic holder of claim 7, wherein the movablemeans is one or more interlocking devices, hinges, joints, bearings,pivots, pins, slides, rails, tracks, guides, or channels.
 11. Thecosmetic holder of claim 7, wherein the cover has one or more etchings,engravings, embosses, precious stones, or combination thereof.
 12. Thecosmetic holder of claim 7, wherein the cover is a watch, timepiece,stopwatch, timer, thermometer, compass, heart rate monitor, mirror, orcombination thereof.
 13. A cosmetic holder, comprising: a. an accessory,b. one or more containers with means to affix to the accessory, c. aremovable or interchangeable pan that stores one or more cosmeticproducts or makeup, wherein the pan has a flange with an outer edge thatcontours the sidewall of the container, wherein the shoulder of theflange rests on the top surface of the container; d. a cover that issecured to the container with fastening means to allow the cover to movebetween an between an open configuration and a closed configurationrelative to the container, e. locking means to ensure the cover is keptin a closed configuration, until a desired time; and, f. a compartmentthat stores an removable applicator, which is concealed from view withthe bottom end of the handle of the applicator flush with, or slightlyprotruding from, the sidewall of the container.
 14. The cosmetic holderof claim 13, wherein the accessory is a ring, bracelet, watch, band,necklace, collar, hair clip, belt, or earring.
 15. The cosmetic holderof claim 13, wherein the container is either a regularly or irregularlyshaped polygons.
 16. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein thefastening means of the cover is one or more interlocking devices,hinges, joints, bearings, pivots, pins, slides, rails, tracks, guides,or channels.
 17. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein the cover hasone or more etchings, engravings, embosses, precious stones, orcombination thereof.
 18. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein thecover is a watch, timepiece, stopwatch, timer, thermometer, compass,heart rate monitor, mirror, or combination thereof.
 19. The cosmeticholder of claim 13, wherein the locking means is a hook, hook latchclip, clasp, lock, latch, linkage, magnetic fastener, snap fastener, orjoint.
 20. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein the compartment hasa compression spring that can eject the applicator to a distance that issufficient for a person to grab the handle of the applicator and fullyremove the applicator from the compartment.